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GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 28 • 23 BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com I n the two seasons since the Boilermakers won the Big Ten Championship, victories have been hard to come by. Purdue has won only 30 games on the diamond — the Boilermakers won a program re- cord in 2012, including one in the NCAA Tournament — while los- ing 71 the past two years, failing to make the Big Ten Tournament after six consecutive trips. For the few players who re- main from the title team, it's been a frustrating drop-off, but one they're insistent on trying to get corrected. "It's really important now, probably more important than it's ever been, because now's the time we have to turn this around," said junior Connor Podkul, a weekend starter in 2012 who returned from Tommy John elbow surgery this season after missing '13. "The guys who were there for the 2012 championship, we saw how it was done, saw how the guys worked, so we definitely need to take that into the fall and into the spring." Purdue has plenty of work to do. The Boilermakers finished the season 13-37, four fewer victories than they had the season before. The reasons for the slip are multiple. Purdue's non-confer- ence slate in 2014, the second- most difficult in the country, didn't match its readiness, and the Boilermakers suffered. Then, in the Big Ten, they looked bet- ter, but couldn't figure out how to win close ones, losing eight of 10 one-run games. But more than anything, Purdue's talent level isn't where it once was, and that's showing in its inconsistent play. "We've brought some guys in and whether you want to say we've missed on them in recruit- ing or they're not performing up to what their potential is, it's one or the other," said 16th-year coach Doug Schreiber, who had guided Purdue to the Big Ten's best re- cord from 2007-12. "But you can't afford to miss on too many guys, but I feel like we've probably done that." Now, Schreiber's challenge is to get the Boilermakers headed back in the right di- rection, and he feels he has the prospects to take a positive step in 2015. Three play- ers graduate from last year's Boilers, including Johnny Bench semifi- nalist Sean McHugh, who led Purdue in nearly every offensive category. Also, sopho- more Friday night starter Jordan Minch is draft eligible and could depart early. But a solid 2014 recruiting class, which might not yet be completed, and two trans- fers who sat out last season, could contribute immediately. Right-handed pitcher Brian Ghiselli, a West Lafayette gradu- ate who started his career at Mi- ami (Ohio), could figure in as a weekend starter next season. And infielder Brett Carlson, a starter on Austin Peay's NCAA regional team a season ago, will compete for at-bats. "Those are two guys who will come in with an older, more mature atti- tude, and be able to help us, too," Schreiber said. The freshmen class in- cludes Alec Olund, an out- fielder from Lake Central; Harry Shipley, a middle infielder from Cathedral; Evan Kennedy, a catcher/ first baseman from Central Catholic; Tanner Andrews, a right-hander from Tippe- canoe Valley; and Mike Kornacker, a 6-4 righty from St. Laurence (Ill.) who ranks No. 18 in the '14 class in the state. Kornacker will get a chance early. "He's a big right-hand- ed pitcher who has had success and actually has beaten some of the better pitchers in the Chicago- land area who have gotten attention even regarding the draft," Schreiber said. "But Mike is an infielder as well, so he hits, and will probably start with us as a two-way guy. "… We like to have five pitch- ers who are vying for weekend rotation (spots) and I think he can Purdue Coach Doug Schreiber is looking for a turnaround in his 17th season at Purdue, as the Boilermakers have struggled in the two seasons since the Big Ten title in 2012. ba s e ba l l : s e a s o n w r a p Looking Up? Baseball Team Hoping Better Days Ahead